Hard as it is to believe and still harder to accept, next week will be Labor Day and that is the end of summer. I enjoy autumn but still regret summer’s exit … so on we go from here.
I want you to stop feeding any shrubs, roses or trees for this season. We want the growth that is there to mature, and fertilizing at this time will encourage new growth which will have a hard time surviving winter. However, continue feeding your annuals in planters and hanging baskets. The cooler days and nights will encourage the brightest color of the season and the fertilizer will keep that color coming strong.
I’m hoping for a substantial rainfall soon because this is also a great time for weed control in lawns. Weed sprays work best when the weeds are actively growing. When the soil is dry, that active growth even slows down for the weeds. If your lawn is irrigated, go ahead with the spray application but be sure not to irrigate for 24 hours after the application or you will eliminate the effect of the spray. One of the benefits of fall application is that this spray will control most of the perennial weeds that start as seedlings in the fall and become major players in the spring.
Day lily clumps that have not been producing many flowers are likely getting too thick and will benefit from being divided now. Getting that done this time of year gives the plants time to get re-established before winter, and they will be ready and able to put on a good show for next year. That dividing and thinning chore for most perennials can be done in the next couple of weeks. Later than that, it is best to wait until spring, but waiting until then, you will not expect much of a flower display until the next year.
The vegetable garden is looking pretty sorry but still producing quantities of fresh produce. Remember to keep the beans picked and they will produce until frost stops the program. If you have kept ahead of the cabbage looper worms in your broccoli, you can expect some great secondary head development as the temperatures cool. If you are growing Brussels sprouts, wait with harvest until we have frost … it makes the flavor sweet. Cucumbers also keep producing if you keep picking, but that depends on how faithful you have been watering during this hot, dry summer.
We posted some before and after pictures on Luverne Flowers Facebook page of how to add fall accents to your outdoor planters without having to replant ... easier than you would imagine!